Title: The Storm Of The Century, 12th Anniversary
HURAKAN - March 14, 2005 12:28 AM (GMT)
Twelve years ago one of the most legendary winter storms of all time moved up the Eastern Seaboard. The blizzard of 1993 produce over a foot of snow from central Alabama to northern Maine; almost 1400 miles. Even more impressive is the large area that received over 20 inches of snow (graphic above) Many roads were closed and as strong winds produced extensive blowing and drifting. The excessive snow amounts are only one part of the storm. The intensity of the storm was such that it produced a damaging storm surge across the Florida panhandle as it came ashore Friday night. In addition, a line of severe thunderstorms erupted along the eastern end of the storm and produced winds gusts over 90 mph, flooding rains, and tornadoes across Florida. These thunderstorms pushed south all the way to Cuba, with violent winds and drenching rain.
Today is the 12th anniversary of the blizzard of 1993 that struck the East Coast. This graphic shows the mechanics behind the storm. The main ingredient was a large dip in the polar jet stream that extended all the way down to the Gulf Coast. As the polar jet moved south, it phased with the Pacific and Subtropical jet, forming a low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico. As this storm headed north, it intensified and lifted large amounts of Gulf and Atlantic moisture into very cold air in place over the East Coast. The result was a large area of heavy snow and strong, gusty winds that extended from the Smoky Mountains to New England.
The low pressure system that created the blizzard of 1993 formed in the Gulf of Mexico on March 12th. This storm intensified into a blizzard as it moved up the East Coast and lifted moisture into cold air that was in place over the eastern half of the country. The result was snow and gusty winds from Alabama to New England. Over 20 inches of snow fell from the southern Smoky Mountains to western New England, with 10 to 20 inches of snow from northeastern Alabama to eastern New England.
A typical Northeast snowstorm is one of the most feared storms in the United States since they have a large impact on business and everyday lives. However, a typical snowstorm pales in significance to the Blizzard of `93. The graphic above illustrates this point. Moderate to heavy snow at 10 a.m. March 13 extended from Birmingham, Alabama to Bangor, Maine (denoted by the red area). The blue shading shows the shield of snow in a typical snowstorm. Notice the difference not only in length, but width. There may be storms that produce greater snow amounts in a particular location than the blizzard of `93, but few can rival its size and impact.
I have no memories of the Storm of the Century since when it happened I was 6 years old. But my parents and grandparents, who at that time were in Cuba have a horrifying memory of the night the storm passed over Havana, they say it seemed the end of the world.
Today is the 12th anniversary of the blizzard of 1993 that struck the East Coast. This graphic shows the mechanics behind the storm. The main ingredient was a large dip in the polar jet stream that extended all the way down to the Gulf Coast. As the polar jet moved south, it phased with the Pacific and Subtropical jet, forming a low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico. As this storm headed north, it intensified and lifted large amounts of Gulf and Atlantic moisture into very cold air in place over the East Coast. The result was a large area of heavy snow and strong, gusty winds that extended from the Smoky Mountains to New England.
The low pressure system that created the blizzard of 1993 formed in the Gulf of Mexico on March 12th. This storm intensified into a blizzard as it moved up the East Coast and lifted moisture into cold air that was in place over the eastern half of the country. The result was snow and gusty winds from Alabama to New England. Over 20 inches of snow fell from the southern Smoky Mountains to western New England, with 10 to 20 inches of snow from northeastern Alabama to eastern New England.
A typical Northeast snowstorm is one of the most feared storms in the United States since they have a large impact on business and everyday lives. However, a typical snowstorm pales in significance to the Blizzard of `93. The graphic above illustrates this point. Moderate to heavy snow at 10 a.m. March 13 extended from Birmingham, Alabama to Bangor, Maine (denoted by the red area). The blue shading shows the shield of snow in a typical snowstorm. Notice the difference not only in length, but width. There may be storms that produce greater snow amounts in a particular location than the blizzard of `93, but few can rival its size and impact.
I have no memories of the Storm of the Century since when it happened I was 6 years old. But my parents and grandparents, who at that time were in Cuba have a horrifying memory of the night the storm passed over Havana, they say it seemed the end of the world.
Matthew - March 14, 2005 12:44 AM (GMT)
That was a very big powerful storm. Thanks for posting information. :silly:
weather1man - October 6, 2005 09:17 PM (GMT)
Well I am looking fodward to the winter time! I can't wait till we get some snow down south. I love snow and espically destructive icestorms. They are so beatiful!